Center for the Book Arts Detroit
runs year long "Study Groups" in subjects related to the book arts. This year, we'll host a study group for Bookbinding, Dream Studies, Grants / Awards, & Letterpress. Study Groups are free for partcipants. Each group meets twice a month for a year, and work through the subject of each group as a community. Past participants host and teach current members, and also create new study groups. If you want more information, you can read more below and email at info@bookartsdetroit.org
Bookbinding
The primary function of the bookbinding study group is
to study bookbinding—more specifically technique and methods of
construction. While we will talk about the history and historic bookbinding,
this is done only as a way to contextualize the work we’ll be doing together.
The work is mostly contemporary, and does not spend time on conservation
or repair. Instead, the bulk of the study group is focused on how to make
books in service of other things—to make books and book objects to host your
own works, or others works. To work with artists, designers, poets to make
new works. To make books for writing and drawing in. Most—to make works
that respond to the needs of your community.
You can download a copy of the current Bookbinding syllabus
here.
Dream Studies
In the Dream Studies Group we will work as a group to try
an use our dreams as tools for creative practice. We’ll investigate
stategies for keeping track of our dreams, through writing or mapping,
lucid dreaming, strategic daydreaming, and other techniques we may uncover.
Dream Studies Group is a new study group, meaning the curriculum for the
study group, and future study groups, will be determined by this initial group.
You can download a copy of the current Dream Studies syllabus here.
Grants & Awards
We will work as a group to better understand the process
of applying for awards, grants, residencies, scholarships, and other
opportunities. The process of applying for opportunities can be overwhelming.
What this group aims to do is make the process of applying to
things accessible, and understandable.
Ideally, we will all apply to 4 opportunities over the course of the
study group. Our goal is to leave the first year more informed and
prepared for getting opportunities related to our fields of study.
You can download a copy of the current Grants & Awards syllabus
here.
Letterpress Printing
The primary function of the letterpress study group is to
study letterpress printing—the process of making printed matter using movable
type. But a secondary goal is preservation. Letterpress printing is a skill
that is rapidly disappearing, and when not printing we will look at the
history of this kind of printing to better understand how to work now and
in the future. We will also spend a lot of time with the parts and
equipments that make up the printing process.
You can download a copy of the current Letterpress syllabus
here.